Gulliver's Travels / Struldbrug Society
“If a _struldbrug_ happen to marry one of his own kind, the marriage is dissolved of course, by the courtesy of the kingdom, as soon as the younger of the two comes to be fourscore; for the law thinks it a reasonable indulgence, that those who are condemned, without any fault of their own, to a perpetual continuance in the world, should not have their misery doubled by the load of a wife. “As soon as they have completed the term of eighty years, they are looked on as dead in law; their heirs immediately succeed to their estates; only a small pittance is reserved for their support; and the poor ones are maintained at the public charge.
Microstory
Amidst the dimly lit hall, Eleanor sat, her pallid fingers trembling as she traced the edges of her forgotten portrait. Once a vivacious woman, she now felt a heavy silence where laughter once danced, her heart burdened by the knowledge that her marriage would dissolve as soon as her husband crossed the threshold of eighty. The world outside continued to bustle, oblivious to the ghosts that lingered, trapped between life’s vibrant past and a future shunned by law and love alike. (AI-generated story)
The excerpt offers a profound commentary on mortality and societal attitudes toward aging, encapsulating Swift's critique of how human worth is often tied to utility and social expectations. The Struldbrugs, immortal beings burdened by endless life, serve as a metaphor for the fears of aging and obsolescence in early 18th century society. Their marriages, dissolved at eighty, highlight the harsh realities faced by those deemed unworthy once they cease to contribute to societal productivity. This illustration of legal and social marginalization mirrors contemporary themes regarding the treatment of the elderly and raises questions about the ethics of existence devoid of agency or dignity. (AI-generated commentary)